Eye on O.C.: Celebrating a patron

Friends, supporters and administrators of UCI's Claire Trevor College of the Arts gathered to celebrate the 103rd birthday of the late silver screen starlet.

While everyone knows that revealing a woman's age is risky, Trevor probably would have given her blessing. The party took place just outside the Claire Trevor Theater, and guests did not allow the cold and rain to ruin their good time – though the heat lamps and over-reaching roof helped.

About 150 guests dressed in mostly casual attire and were sociable, so much so that the event felt more like a small gathering of close friends than anything else. The only thing louder than the excitable art enthusiasts was the live music by a pianist and vocalist covering songs such as "What A Wonderful World" and "Where is Love."

After her retirement from professional acting in 1987, the Academy Award winning Trevor became an unofficial patron of UCI's School of the Arts. After her death in 2000, her stepsons Donald Bren – the chairman of the Irvine Company – and Peter Bren donated $10 million to the school, which changed its name in her honor.

"She would come to performances. She would share her knowledge with the other students," said Toni Martinovich, an alum from the drama program and honorary producer for the school's upcoming production of "After Troy." "I think that's a wonderful thing to be able to do."

At 8 p.m., "Stagecoach," staring Trevor and John Wayne, played at the nearby Winifred Smith Hall. Ethan Wayne, the Duke's youngest son, introduced the film and shared a few words about Trevor. "Claire was always kind and encouraging to me as a young boy, and it stuck with me," he said.